Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: Sheltering In Place Is The New Normal

WCBU | By Kristin McHugh,

Published March 27, 2020 at 11:16 AM CDT

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Wednesday, March 25: Glen Oak Park. A park play space is closed in accordance with Gov. JB Pritzker’s “stay in place” order. ";s:3:

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Monday, March 23: AMC CLASSIC Grand Prairie. The multi-screen complex shuttered on March 17. All “coming soon” poster frames at the entrance are empty. Door signs say all of the company’s theaters nationwide will remain shut for up to 12 weeks. ";s:3:

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Tuesday, March 24: Double A’s near The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. Trivia enthusiasts usually fill this parking lot every Tuesday evening for weekly Tuesday Night Trivia. The restaurant only remains open for carry-out meals.";

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Riverfront Museum as viewed from Water Street. The facility is closed until further notice. In the background, a face mask has been added to Seward Johnson’s “God Bless America” sculpture. ";s:3:

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Bradley University. A lone vehicle sits in the parking lot on Elmwood adjacent to Wyckoff. Parking is at a premium when classes are in session.

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: CityLink Transfer Center on SW Adams Street. A lone bus, as viewed from William Kumpf Boulevard, idles in what is usually a busy hub.

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Peoria High School. Only three vehicles are parked in what’s usually a crowded lot.";

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Penny Lane near Alta Road. It’s business as usual as a crew digs the foundation for a new home.";

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Corner of Main Street and NE Jefferson Street, Peoria: Every parking space in front of the Peoria County Courthouse is empty at 11:00 a.m.

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Wednesday, March 25: Corner of West Glen Avenue and North University Street, Peoria: An electronic billboard promoting OSF Health Care’s COVID-19 resources towers over an open, but empty Subway restaurant. ";

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Monday, March 23: Home Office: Kristin McHugh created a makeshift recording studio in her husband’s portion of their closet where she records All Things Considered local newscasts.";

Kristin McHugh/WCBU

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Thursday, March 26: Becks Florist, 105 E. Washington, East Peoria. One of many businesses closed through April 7 after it was deemed non-essential in Gov. JB Pritzker's executive order.

Tim Shelley/WCBU

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Thursday, March 26: First United Methodist Church, East Peoria. The church's digital bulletin board is displaying hopeful messages amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tim Shelley/WCBU

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Thursday, March 26: The Peoria Players Theatre, 4300 N. University: The marquee is displaying a message of hope in the wake of widespread disruption to everyday life in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Tim Shelley/WCBU

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Friday, March 27: WCBU. The newsroom is dark at 10:30 a.m. All staff are working remotely during the day as part of the station's social distancing efforts.

Dana Vollmer/WCBU

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Friday, March 27: WCBU. The master control studio light is the only one on station wide. Dana Vollmer begins her shift here and then heads home so Daniel Musisi can work alone to maintain social distancing.

Dana Vollmer/WCBU

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Thursday, March 26: Landmark Recreation Center, Peoria. The parking lot was empty Thursday afternoon as most businesses are shuttered under Gov. JB Pritzker's "stay at home".

Tim Shelley/WCBU

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Friday, March 27: Home Office. WCBU News Director Tim Shelley manages newsroom assignments and content from his home desk as part of the station's social distancing efforts.

Tim Shelley/WCBU

Daily life is dramatically different for most Illinoisans under Gov. JB Pritzker’s “stay in place” order. The directive took effect March 21 and mandated the closure of schools and all businesses deemed non-essential across the state. The end result: Shuttered businesses, empty parking lots, canceled family and cultural events, and makeshift home offices.

Click the photo at the top to view a slideshow of recent scenes collected by WCBU staff.

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